Introduction
A custom hotel key card sleeve is a printed paper or card holder that a hotel key card slides into — carrying the brand, room details, Wi-Fi password, and other guest information. Unlike a full holder or envelope, the sleeve is a slim, open-ended wrap that protects and brands the card.
For hotels, these sleeves are a small but high-touch guest-experience detail. This guide covers the CR80 sizing, materials, printing options, and use cases.
CR80 Sizing
Hotel key cards use the CR80 standard — the same size as a credit card.
| Measurement | CR80 detail |
|---|---|
| Width | 54 mm |
| Height | 86 mm |
| Thickness | ~0.76 mm |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 |
The sleeve is sized to fit a CR80 card snugly:
| Item | Size |
|---|---|
| Key card (CR80) | 54 × 86 mm |
| Sleeve (fits) | Slightly larger |
What a Sleeve Carries
A key card sleeve doubles as an information carrier.
| Content | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hotel brand | Recognition |
| Room number | Guest info |
| Wi-Fi details | Convenience |
| Check-out time | Information |
| Emergency contact | Safety |
The sleeve turns a bare card into a branded, informative touchpoint:
| Benefit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Branding | Hotel identity |
| Information | Guest convenience |
| Protection | Card shielding |
| Upsell | Amenities, services |
Materials
Key card sleeves come in several paper stocks.
| Material | Character | Use |
|---|---|---|
| White card | Clean, standard | Everyday |
| Coated paper | Smooth, glossy | Premium print |
| Specialty paper | Textured, tactile | Luxury |
| Kraft/recycled | Natural, eco | Eco-hotels |
The material sets the feel of the guest experience:
| Hotel type | Material |
|---|---|
| Budget | White card |
| Standard | Coated paper |
| Luxury | Specialty/textured |
| Eco | Kraft/recycled |
Printing Options
Sleeve printing ranges from simple to premium.
| Finish | Effect | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Four-color (CMYK) | Full-color brand | Standard |
| Foil stamping | Metallic mark | Luxury |
| Emboss/deboss | Tactile texture | Premium |
| Spot UV | Glossy highlight | Modern |
The finish should match the hotel’s positioning:
| If hotel is… | Finish |
|---|---|
| Luxury | Foil or emboss |
| Boutique | Spot UV |
| Standard | Four-color |
| Eco | Soy ink, kraft |
Use Cases
Key card sleeves serve the hotel guest journey.
| Use case | Sleeve role |
|---|---|
| Check-in | Card + welcome info |
| Brand touchpoint | Recognition |
| Amenity guide | Upsell services |
| Loyalty | Membership info |
Two uses deserve note — check-in sleeves carry the room number and Wi-Fi, and amenity sleeves promote spa, dining, and upgrades.
Choosing a Key Card Sleeve
A quick decision guide:
| If you need… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Basic card + info | White card, four-color |
| Luxury branding | Specialty paper, foil |
| Eco positioning | Kraft, soy ink |
| Upsell channel | Amenity-focused print |
Match the material and finish to the hotel’s positioning and the sleeve’s job.
Conclusion
Custom hotel key card sleeves are the slim, CR80-sized holders that brand a key card and carry guest information. Choose white card for standard use, specialty paper and foil for luxury, or kraft for eco positioning, and use the sleeve as an amenity and upsell channel. For the holder forms, see our hotel key card holders page.
Need custom key card sleeves for your property? Request a quote.